Sunday, 1 June 2014

Welcome to the June challenge! Wow, are we half way through the year already? We hope you've enjoyed the challenges so far, including the tricky men's jewellery challenge last month. Well fear not, we have lots more fun lined up for the rest of the year! This month it's colour time and we'd like you to create something in Blue, Green, Orange and Copper.

Real copper, copper plated and/or metallic copper finish are accepted and any shade, light or dark, shiny or matt is absolutely fine. Blue, green and orange are self-explanatory really and any shades of those are accepted, AB finishes included. Please make sure that you have all four elements (blue, green, orange & copper) in your piece and also that your piece is finished.

This twist this month is TREES. Remember that this is entirely optional but if you include the twist as well as the colour scheme then you will receive two entries into the draw! Just a few ideas: tree charms, branch connectors, cabochons or beads with tree designs, tree of life pendants, or maybe even make a miniature tree using wire! *NOTE: Leaves and/or flowers won't count on their own as trees!*

How do I enter?

Simply email your photograph to Liz at ottbs@live.comWe're happy for you to post your photos on our Facebook group as well but please make sure that you've also emailed your entry. Entries that have not been emailed will not be accepted.By submitting your entry via email you are giving the admin of Operation Tackle That Bead Stash permission to share your email address with the sponsor should you be the lucky winner. We take your privacy very seriously and will not share your email address with anyone else.

When is the deadline for entries?

The deadline is MIDNIGHT in your own time zone on Monday the 30th of June. The challenge winner will be announced the following day.

What can I make?

Anything as long as it involves beads! Any technique is accepted, from beadweaving and stringing to wire work and bead embroidery. Lampworkers and polymer clay artists are also welcome to submit beads they've made. We're sorry but any entries that do not include beads in some form or another will not be accepted. Your entry must be made especially for the challenge, please do not submit something that was made before June 1st 2014.

Does it have to be my own design?

No. We're happy for you to make something using a pattern from a book, magazine or tutorial but if you do please let us know the designer's name so that we can give them credit.

What about findings?

Findings (clasps, earwires, metal spacer beads etc) are exempt from the colour challenge so you can use silver, gold or any other colour findings that fit in with your project.

Can I enter more than once?

You can make as many pieces as you like using the chosen colour way. All entries will be shown here on the blog but you will only be entered into the draw once.

I'm not in the UK, can I still join in?

Yes of course! We welcome submissions from around the world so don't worry if you're not in the UK. Our sponsors are happy to post prizes overseas so you can still enter and be eligible for the prize!

Any other questions?

If you have any questions about the challenge please feel free to email Liz at ottbs@live.com

The Prize

This month our sponsor is Racheland she's very kindly offering £15 to spend in her online shop RB Beads!

The winner will be drawn by Liz on the 1st of July using the random list generator at www.random.org and announced the same day.

Thanks to everyone who took part in our May challenge, what a fantastic collection of men's jewellery you made! The winner of the draw is at the bottom of the page but don't forget to look at all the entries along the way :)

Everyone's names went into the list randomizer at Random.org and the lucky beader who's name is at the top of the list is...

*** KRISTEN ***

Congratulations Kristen, you're the winner of the £15 voucher to spend at Jencel!

We have a brand new challenge for June coming later on today so don't forget to check back :)